StarTech.com 10ft (3m) USB-C Charging Cable with Side Screw Locking, 240W (5A) PD EPR, USB-IF Certified
Product description
What this cable is for
If your laptop charger setup relies on a USB-C port that doesn’t always feel “locked in,” this StarTech.com USB-C charging cable is built around that problem. It’s a 10ft (3m) USB-C power delivery cable designed for high-performance charging (up to 240W) and it uses a side screw-locking connector to help keep the connection secure.
On paper, it’s aimed at people who want fewer charging interruptions and cleaner daily cable management—especially when your dock, hub, or charger has a side-locking USB-C port. It’s also USB-IF certified with an integrated E-marker chip, which matters when you’re trying to get predictable Power Delivery behavior from USB-C chargers and hosts.
Key takeaways (what you’ll notice day to day)
The main draw here is mechanical security. The M2 screw locking connector with a knurled grip gives you a “twist and lock” style experience (with a tightening step), which can reduce that slightly-loose feeling you sometimes get with standard push-in USB-C cables.
Second, the cable is designed for longevity. The braided nylon jacket is meant to resist wear and handle frequent movement, including being bent around the typical angles you’d deal with on a desk or during travel. The spec also calls out performance markings on the connectors, so you can identify the right end without guesswork.
One limitation to keep in mind: it explicitly does not support USB-C video (DP Alt Mode). So if you’re buying it with the idea of running a monitor over USB-C, this isn’t the right direction.
Charging performance and USB standards
This cable supports USB-C Power Delivery 3.1 EPR with up to 240W (5A) charging, including 48V support. It’s also backward compatible with lower-power profiles (the description notes compatibility with 140W/100W/60W), which is helpful if you’re mixing equipment or using a charger that can’t reach the top EPR number.
It also includes USB 2.0 support (up to 480Mbps). That means you can use it not only for charging, but for basic file transfer or syncing in setups that expect USB 2.0 over USB-C.
Where it shines vs. more basic USB-C cables
Most USB-C cables you buy are either “good enough for charging” or aimed at general use without extra retention hardware. This one takes a more robust approach: screw locking plus a durable jacket. That makes it a better match if:
- You frequently plug/unplug, or you’ve had a cable wiggle out of a side port.
- You want one cable that can handle higher-watt laptop charging instead of settling for a lower-power cord.
- Your desk setup uses equipment with side-locking USB-C ports.
But it may be overkill if you just need a cheap replacement cable for occasional charging. The locking hardware is the point—if you don’t benefit from that security, you might not love the extra steps of tightening/loosening.
Tech specs
- Type: USB-C charging cable with side screw locking
- Length: 10ft (3m)
- Power Delivery: up to 240W (5A) PD 3.1 EPR, includes 48V
- Backward compatibility: 140W / 100W / 60W
- USB support: USB 2.0 (480Mbps)
- Certification: USB-IF certified with integrated E-marker chip
- Connector durability: rated beyond 10,000 insertions
- Bend resistance: withstands -/+90° bends and up to 20,000 bending cycles
- Construction: flexible braided nylon jacket, nickel-plated connectors
- Locking: M2 screw locking with knurled grip
- Cable color: Black
- Cable OD: 0.18in (4.7mm)
- Note: USB-C video (DP Alt Mode) not supported
Compatibility and “gotchas” to verify before buying
It’s intended for USB-C Power Delivery-enabled devices, and the description specifically calls out that it’s ideal for chargers and hubs with side-locking USB-C ports.
Before you commit, it’s worth checking two things:
- Does your charger/dock/hub use a side-locking USB-C port? If you have a standard USB-C port without a locking mechanism, the cable’s locking feature won’t deliver the same benefit.
- Are you expecting video over USB-C? This one doesn’t support DP Alt Mode, so it’s strictly for charging and USB 2.0 data (not display output).
Should you buy it?
Worth considering if you want a longer (10ft / 3m) USB-C charging cord built for higher-watt Power Delivery, and you specifically like the idea of a side screw-lock connection that stays put. It’s a strong pick for work setups where the cable gets moved, bumped, or plugged in/out regularly.
You may want to skip it if you only need a basic charging cable for everyday use, or if you’re shopping for USB-C video support—this isn’t built for DP Alt Mode. Also, if your devices don’t have side-locking USB-C ports, you might find yourself paying for a feature you won’t fully use.
Mini FAQ
Will this cable charge high-power laptops?
It’s rated for USB-C PD 3.1 EPR up to 240W (5A), with backward compatibility down to 140W/100W/60W—so it’s designed to handle higher-performance laptop charging scenarios.
Does it support USB-C video to a monitor?
No. The description notes that USB-C video (DP Alt Mode) is not supported.
Is it good for both charging and syncing files?
Yes, it supports USB 2.0 (up to 480Mbps) for general file transfer/sync alongside charging.
Why is USB-IF certification mentioned?
It includes an integrated E-marker chip and is USB-IF certified, which is meant to support consistent Power Delivery output from USB-C hosts and peripherals.
How secure is the connection?
The side screw locking connector is designed to help the plug stay firmly seated—especially useful for side-locking USB-C ports on chargers and hubs.